What is the difference between fertilisation and implantation

This is often because abortion advocates conflate the two in order to confuse people on when life begins. First, it should be noted that fertilization and implantation are two of the first major events during fetal development. Fertilization , also often referred to as conception, is when the sperm enters the egg. At this point, a completely unique new human being is created. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. Sperm triggers an immune response when it enters the uterus 5. Also, sperm may end up going up the wrong fallopian tube. The vast majority of the time, a person only releases one egg from one ovary. That means that only one of the two fallopian tubes will have eggs, and some sperm will have gotten it wrong.

Only a tiny fraction of the sperm that entered the vagina make it to the fallopian tube 5. As the fallopian tube pushes the egg towards the uterus, cilia push the sperm towards the egg. Progesterone and estrogen influence this process by increasing the number of cilia and how fast they move 1. The egg and surrounding cells produce a chemical that attracts sperm 1,7. Sperm may be attracted to the temperature at the ovarian-end of the fallopian tube, which tends to be warmer 1,5.

As they travel through the fallopian tubes, sperm gain the ability to fertilize an egg 1. Break through a group of cells known as the cumulus oophorus that surround the egg. The sperm dissolves these cells using an enzyme 1,7. Break through the outer membrane of the egg.

The sperm essentially fuses to and digests this membrane using an enzyme 1,7. Once a sperm has penetrated an egg, this membrane changes, and becomes impenetrable to other sperm 1,7. Once it meets the egg, the nuclei from the egg and sperm merge and share their genetic material 1,7. If all this goes well, what fertilized egg becomes a zygote 1,7. The egg now contains all the genetic material it will need to become a person.

It takes about days for the fertilized egg to travel to the uterus and attach to the uterus in a process known as implantation 1,8. The egg is pushed back towards the uterus by the cilia 1. Give yourself a long and healthy life. Consider these tips to stay healthy. Some women have difficulty conceiving because of problems in their reproductive system such as a congenital malformation and require surgery. Learn more here. Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the ovary are the messengers that regulate the menstrual cycle.

High-risk pregnancy. Infertility in men. Infertility in women. Donor Sperm Insemination. Intrauterine Insemination IUI. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. Patient Education. To become pregnant , the following steps must occur: Sperm transport — The sperm must be deposited and transported to the site of fertilization. Egg transport — Ovulation must occur and the egg must be "picked up" by the tube. Fertilization and embryo development — Union between the sperm and egg must result.

Implantation — The embryo must implant and begin to grow in the uterus. These steps are described below. Sperm Transport The transport of sperm depends on several factors: The sperm must be capable of propelling themselves through the environment of the female vagina and cervix. This environment, which is under cyclic hormonal control, must be favorable to admit the sperm without destroying them.

The sperm must possess the capability of converting to a form that can penetrate the cell membrane of the egg capacitation.